Bryan's House of Music

I thought ""Hey, can they really be that bad?"". The short answer: Yes. We went into the store as it was the closest and we had limited time. We were not acknowledged when we walked in. Since we had never been to the store before we asked where we could find the item we came in for. Bryan pointed to a 4 sided shelf from behind the counter. When asked if there were more he pointed to the shelf again saying "" I could come from behind here if I had to."". REALLY??? Is it that much to ask you to unfold your arms, get up from leaning against the back counter and help us? I finally asked him if he could come around as we were not finding what he was describing. We did but an the item, but left with the cheapest one top just get out of there. Apparently their business is so good they do not need return customers...I know I won't be one. more

I have spent hundreds of dollars at this store buying equipment for my electric guitars over the past several years & I just wanted to say a sincere ""I am sorry"" to the owners. I have bothered you time & time again with my business. Everytime I walk in a public place I come in with a smile, but when I walk in Brian's House of Music my smile quickly dissipates into akwardness as they make it obvious I'm the only one happy that I'm even there! I honestly think they have no recollection of me ever shopping there before & i've been in there many times. I'd be willing to overlook that if they (especially HER) had a shred of customer service skills-No Appreciation of your business! The positive reviewers can say what they will about the negative reviews, but the truth is I am a ""Local"" Born & Raised Bendite"" & I will always support the local guys first but not this store anymore, I'm tired of bothering them. BTW- I decide to go to the little music store up the street-SUNDAY GUITARS, & yeah the store is smaller & limited but damn what service-from the owner himself. I'm going there from now on ps-I'm also disgruntled after finding out other people have been given permission to test the guitars as my request was granted with a firm ""NO"" the day I asked, HUH?!! more

My 2 experiences here have been horrible. Its as though they not only don't care if buy something, but they act put out that you even came in. You have to beg to try out a guitar and if you are lucky enough to play one, they put you in a back room with some cheap ass amp and watch over you like a convicted felon working at the US mint. The woman working there knows nothing about the instruments and the guy has zip for social skills, and acts pissed he has to talk to you. Avoid this place at all costs. more

I am new to Bend. However I have been playing guitar and going into music stores for over 45 years. I must agree with several of the other poor reviews and experiences that others have posted. I noticed the store had an effects pedal that I had been reading about. When I asked if I could try it out, they I could if I went home brought back my own guitar. I was shocked by that responce but was interested enought that I went home and brought back my strat. When I got back to the store with my guitar there was further discussion as to weather they would allow me to go in the back of the strore to try it. Finaly they said ok and the owner lady actualy sat with me for the entire time while I tried it out. I understand the problems of a retail music store regarding theft, breakage and scratching the instruments and so on. In 45 years I have never been in a store where they carried it to such an extreme paranoia. more

In this day and age I wouldn't want to be a store owner.\r The way people treat those people at the music store is really sad.\r Thay are open 7 days a week and thats just not enough', people want more . \r Thay need time for themselves as well, so just know if it's there time to go home let them , thay have lives too. more

I have been to Brian's multiple times with the closing of Central Oregon Music years ago. I mad an amp purchase a few years ago that I wasn't pleased with (Behringer's fault, not theirs,) and have come back mainly due to lack of choice. It's true about the 'being watched' feeling that you get when you go in, but they are protecting a substantial investment, so I understand. If you are there to buy, strike up a conversation with either of them, and they will be as helpful as possible. Brian and his wife were both very patient with me as I had changed my mind like 10 times in the store with what I wanted, and ultimately I was very pleased with the service and guitar that I bought. They let me play multiple guitars to help me find the one that I wanted. Thanks! more

Its a shame this rating system wont let me use 1/32 of a star. and bryons house would only deserve that because you dont get attacked by bees when you walk in the door. This is the worst store in the history of stores. That ladies attitude is completely horrible. They fallow you around like your there to steal, their products are literally 2 times the cost of the same item at guitar center, and you CANNOT TOUCH ANYTHING EVER, as that lady loves to you. Ive have seen her tell friends of mine with thousands of dollars to spend to leave just because they wanted to try stuff out. I cannot believe that people still shop there. Do your community a favor and boycott that terrible place. if you need picks go to wall street guitar or the guitar den or something. dont let you money support PURE EVIL. more

I went in today for to look at guitars and purchase picks and a Boss tu-3 guitar tuner. The lady was way more interested in talking to someone about her dog than talking to me. I finally asked her about the guitar tuner as I didn't see what I was looking for. I was told they could get it in a few days. It was clear I was not allowed to even touch the guitars.... Ok.... I did buy the picks and she did smile at me when I did. I'd like to buy local. But I didn't feel welcome here. I felt like I was in the way. more

I have gone to Bryan's twice, ONCE this morning and ONCE when they first opened-many years ago. THIS MORNING: I needed (3) 12ax7 amplifier tubes and I knew I was going to need another (3) next week. ""Bryan"" claimed to have 12 ax 7's and 12 AT 7's. Since I did not know the difference, nor did he, I looked the tubes up online-to try to find a review. When I was online I noticed that EVERYONE was selling the same Groove Tube, $8 cheaper. I told him that I was going to be in Portland the following day, where I could get them for less---would he match pricing? Not BEAT pricing. I just wanted him to MATCH pricing (a very common business practice). He said, ""You should just go to Portland then."" Well, OK. It will save me close to $50. I will buy them in Portland. YEARS AGO: I needed a PA board and a few microphones. I had a budget of $1400 which was in my wallet when I walked in the store. When looking at one of the boards they had, I asked if they could take the plastic wrapping off, so I could see if I had the proper input cables at home, if I did not, I would have purchased those also. At that time I was told, ""You can't just come in here and expect us to let you touch everything."" Fine. So that is it for me. I will continue to do business with other stores, stores out of town, and CONTINUE to tell my many musician friends, and parents with kids, to AVOID BRYAN'S HOUSE OF MUSIC AT ALL COSTS! So, many years ago, Sweetwater got my $1400...and tomorrow Guitar Center will probably get around $200 (tubes, strings, etc). Buy online! Wait until you're in a bigger city! more

I bought a guitar from Bryan and his wife even after reading the negative comments. I decided why not try? They had the best deal in town for what I was looking for. The worst thing that would happen would be me leaving wondering how they stay open treating people so badly. Instead, I went in, asked a lot of questions and was treated respectfully, I felt Bryan was honest with me, patient, etc. His wife seemed less knowledgeable about what I was interested in but that's fine, husband and wife teams usually work that way, one knows the biz, the other helps around the shop. All in all, I'm glad I went in, I like my guitar, Bryan even showed me some helpful stuff on a return visit. Because I was aware of the bad reviews I was watching how other customers were being treated, some sat and played on instruments they were considering buying, some emo type kids were testing guitars and asking questions, it seemed like a good local music shop to me. more

I am not sure if the blond, portly gal is bryan's wife but i am positive she's a bitch. She has lost at least one sale for the store. Pros: best croissants in town Cons: Blond lady is a see you en t more

Bryan is very knowledgeable and allowed me to play different guitars to my hearts content, I spent several days bugging him and playing before making a decision. Donna was extremely helpful in helping me decide on some accessories to go with my new purchase. Their pricing is ""right on"" and I don't have to ""send"" it back to the manufacture if I have a problem. I don't get some of the other negative comments. Treat them with respect, put your ego away, and they'll bend over backwards for you. Pros: Large selection of instruments and accessories. Very helpful more

great store. good people. it just takes a while for them to trust you, they might be a little uptight about playing there instruments cus i dont think they wanna buy a new bass cus you might be a dumb ass. as long as you ask nicely about playing them and can prove you know what your doing itll be fine. and yes bryans wife is a little mean, i would be to if there was a bunch of wannabees comin in and messin with my stuff like they know wat there doing. Pros: good selection, in town, some cheaper things Cons: bryan's wife, few basses more

She seems to treat everyone like they don't know what they're doing. I've had the pleasure of going there when his wife isn't around and that made everything so much better. Honestly, I'd go there more often if Bryan's wife didn't work there. She's terrible with people and I prefer not to be treated like I'm an idiot. Bryan needs to get new employees that are not his wife. Then the store would get a ton of costumers. Aside from that note, the store itself is lovely. It has a wide range of acoustic and electric guitars, drums and basses. Guitar strings, books for various instruments, accessories, it's a great store. Pros: Largest selection I've seen in Bend Cons: Bryan's bitch wife more

My son purchased a BC Rich electric guitar and accessories from Bryan's. He is away at college and needed me to check on where to find a replacement farrule because it's a smaller than standard size and he couldn't find one in Corvallis. Bryan's wife answered the phone and exclaimed ""whats that?"" to my farrule question. Then cut me off when I tried to explain what I was looking for. She was impatient, rude and not at all helpful. Maybe they are a good store but her customer service skills are very poor. more

Was reading reviews and had to speak up. I bought a boss looper, fender amp, picks etc here. Bought some from the lady and some from the guy. They were very nice folks. Showed me a few guitars. The lady recommended the looper I should have bought. ha ha I think it is very sorry of the people whinning through these reviews. You should own a business and put up with jerks like you, then you would understand. Maybe instead of buying equip in Portland you should move there. Jesus, I would love to hear you play, you couldn't be that damn good, you spend most of your time and energy dissing people. I give these people a 2 thumbs up. Lots of inventory, fair prices and they were very congenial people. Pros: Good Service-Fair Prices more

They are absolutely mean, and could care less if you bought from them. I tried to buy a guitar there, had money in pocket and she told me I had ruined her guitar by playing it because I had fingernails???? Cons: Horrible Customer Service more

They are cold, It seems like they hate being there... its awkward... they have high prices.... I would never spend any kind of money if i had to there.. i will drive to portland for all my gear buying... DONT GO! go to music makers to buy all your strings and necessities... they are way awesome and friendly there. Pros: its in town Cons: unfriendly, high priced, wont match musicians friend more

THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO SHOP, IT LOCAL AND INEXPENSIVE! I PERSONALLY LOVE SPENDING FREE TIME IN THERE, AND EVEN THOUGH DONNA MIGHT TELL YOU NOT TO PLAY THE INSTRUMENTS UNLESS YOUR SERIOUSLY INTERESTED, THAT DOESNT MAKE IT A BAD STORE. I GO THERE FOR ALL MY MUSICAL EQUIPTMENT AND NEEDS. TO THE PEOPLE BASHING THEM, WHY WASTE YOUR TIME, PLAIN AND SIMPLE IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, DONT SHOP THERE BUT LEAVE YOU DUMB KIDDIE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF!!! PEACE~ Pros: BEST MUSIC SHOP IN TOWN Cons: ARE NONE!!! more

I have purchased many items from Bryan and Donna and they are both very professional and well mannered. I have been in there on occasion where these kids want to take down a guitar and jam out. Donna is protecting their investment when she asks them not to. Do you want to pay your hard earned money for a new guitar that has pick scratches on the front of it and marks from 501 Jeans pockets on the back of it ? What would you do IF you were in their shoes? I have bought 2 guitars from them and before doing so they have let me play the guitars AFTER I asked permission (supervised, but hey thats okay... I love an audience). Another thing, Donna has steered me in the right direction on a Duncan Screamin Demon pickup, a Digitech RP -50 (at a clearance price) and a Boss Micro BR. Bryan has adjusted the truss rod and intonation on several of my guitars for free and coached me through a guitar nut replacement and acoustic saddle adustment. He is decent guitar tech. and real nice guy. Lastly, the price of their guitars and small amps are the same or very close of those monopolizing guitar supermakets (""Friend"" and ""Center""). These punks with their profinity-filled negative comments, need to Shut Up and Grow Up ! Pros: Great products at a very reasonable price and fantastice customer service (knowledgable and helpful) Cons: None, unless your a rowdy punk grabbing guitars off their hangers without asking first. more